(CNW Group/McDonald's Canada) The two faces of the National Hockey League are teaming up with McDonald’s for an epic “showdown” and launch of new limited-time menu items. In a new ad, Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers hit the ice for a challenge to win a Big Mac, showcasing their skills and creativity, and even some competitive banter. In today's rendition, Matthews and McDavid gear up for a friendly rivalry, as they play each other for a Big Mac. In a special made-for-Quebec version of the ad, P.K. Subban joins in on the fun – chirping from the side lines. This generation's Showdown will extend beyond the ice with a limited-time Showdown menu lineup inspired by Canada's favourite game and its biggest stars. Will Canadian hockey fans prefer a classic taste and choose the Big Mac®-David or perhaps something a little adventurous like the Smoky Quarter Papi? Fans can pledge their support to #97 or #34 with their McDonald's order. Guests can watch the Showdown here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C2k3LVbvmE&feature=youtu.be To kick off this power play, the Showdown menu roster includes: The Big Mac-David (Double Big Mac): Four 100% Canadian beef patties, special sauce, crisp lettuce, processed cheese, pickles, and onions, all stacked on a toasted sesame seed bun. A bold burger that leads the way, just like #97 on the ice. The Smoky Quarter Papi (Smoky BBQ Quarter Pounder): A 100% Canadian quarter pound* beef patty topped with smoky BBQ sauce, hickory-smoked bacon strips, crispy onions, pickles and two slices of processed cheese served on a toasted sesame bun. A powerhouse of flavour that brings the same fire as #34 on game day.*Before cooking. Spicy Junior Chirpy (Spicy Buffalo Junior Chicken): Made with Canadian-raised crispy seasoned chicken, topped with crunchy shredded lettuce, spicy buffalo sauce, and mayo-style sauce, all on a toasty bun. A fiery flavour that's bound to get the chirps going. The Hat Trick (Triple Cheeseburger): Three slices of processed cheese with three juicy, 100% Canadian beef patties, pickles, onions, ketchup, and mustard on a freshly toasted bun. A triple play of flavour for those who crave more. Power Play Poutine (Spicy Maple and Bacon Poutine): Rich gravy, melty cheese curds, spicy maple drizzle, and crispy hickory-smoked bacon on top of our World Famous Fries™. This perfect balance of sweet and spicy lights the lamp with every bite. Celly Sundae: Celebrate every bite with creamy vanilla soft serve topped with your choice of hot fudge or caramel sauce and finished with popping candy that adds a burst of excitement, just like the perfect post-goal celly on the ice. The puck drops on January 7 for the Showdown menu at participating McDonald's restaurants across Canada for a limited time. Guests can get in on the action by visiting their local McDonald's restaurant, ordering ahead using the McDonald's app, or via McDelivery®. "In the spirit of the game that unites us all, we are excited to partner with some of today's most exciting hockey stars," said Alyssa Buetikofer, Chief Marketing Officer at McDonald's Canada. "Our new Showdown menu is a tribute to the love Canadians have for hockey and McDonald's. We've combined the thrill of the game with our iconic menu items to create a lineup that's sure to score with our guests. This is more than just a meal—it's an experience that brings the excitement of a hockey showdown right to your table. We can't wait for our fans to get a taste of the action!"  

Very few businesses can claim being open for 60 years but the Main family from Brandon has done that and very successfully. In late 2024 Ryan Main and his family decided now is the time to sell Pik-A-Dilly RV Centre on the North Hill. BDNMB – Big decision to sell after 60 years I imagine Ryan Main - Sixty years is a long time! I spent the past 18 years of my life in Pik-A-Dilly, full time in one capacity or another and witnessed a LOT of changes in the business landscape in Brandon. And to think, I didn't even get to a third of the years that the business had been running for! Between Grandpa Frank and Grandma Shirley starting selling campers from a corner B&A gas station at the corner of 10th and Vic, to relocating the business to where the Victoria Inn currently sits to the current location on the North Hill, our family has been at the helm of Pik-A-Dilly. We've been a major part of thousands of families camping adventures, many through multiple generations. To look at it that way and know that our family helped so many create lasting, lifelong memories with their loved ones is something I will always be proud of. The decision was a difficult one, but it was time. I had hit a point where I was burnt out and I needed to be available to my family more readily as the kids are at an age where we can go and make our own lifelong memories and I never want to think (or have them think) that anything was 'missed' out on. The generations are different from when I was young and mom was able to be at home to now where a single income family is very rare so family time is a little harder to come by. BDNMB - What is your favorite memory Ryan Main - I have so many memories from my time in the RV industry. A few off the top of my head have to be; selling a trailer to couples that had previously purchased from both Grandpa Frank and dad (happened twice!), getting to experience Las Vegas for yearly RVDA conventions, making lifelong relationships and friendships with local business people and the connections made with local events and charities through sponsorship and donations, so many good stories and memories with past staff and customers, the family feel of a smaller staff working together, rekindling a friendship that led to getting married and having three wonderful kids happened through an industry meeting in Alberta. Having those three kids visit while Kelly was on mat leave with each of them - Alex was passed around to staff members and customers alike to get used to 'other people' besides mom and dad holding him all the time, Bennett would come up and bring coffee that he always tried to get his hands on as a baby and Colbie just had to have her hands on everything and anything she could grab (especially her "clackulator"). My dog Poncho being the unofficial greeter at the dealership and being able to have him with me at work, so many great memories I can't possibly revisit them all. BDNMB - And what would be your least favorite memory Ryan Main - My least favorite memory of my time working in a family business had to be when I first started in sales, I took a family out to show them some trailers and, being new, I answered a lot of questions with "I'm not sure of the answer to that, but I will get it for you before you leave" and having the gentleman go up one side of me and down the other for not knowing the answers to all of his questions on the spot. That actually had me briefly question whether I should even bother at all with the job as there was a certain pressure that came with the shoes to fill before me. I'm glad I stuck it out though! BDNMB - Million-dollar question what will you do now Ryan Main – As far as what's next for me, I've moved across the highway to run the parts department at Maxim Truck and Trailer. It's a little different in terms of industries, but people skills are transferable and learning new things keeps you young I've heard! All in all, at the end of the day, it was important for dad and I to find new owners that had the same, small mom and pop values that we ran the business with and we think that we found that with the group from Steinbach Trailers. It was arranged so that all of the current staff kept their positions so campers can count on a familiar voice and familiar faces for when they contact the dealership as the weather turns a little more 'camping friendly' again! My family and I won't be out of the camping industry totally, we'll just be on the other side of it enjoying our many local campgrounds in our camper with our kids. I've heard so many stories about this great camping spot or that great camping resort, now I get to experience them first hand!! BDNMB - Do you see major changes in the RV industry moving forward? Ryan Main - As far as the RV industry is concerned, there will always be changes, whether big or small, but they'll always be further behind than say the auto industry. It's such a laid back way of life. COVID times were huge as camping seemed to be the one thing that everyone could actually go out and do, so everyone who could find an RV to purchase bought one. We couldn't keep trailers in stock if we wanted to. I remember many people saying that it looked like we were going out of business with the number of trailers in stock and trying to strategically park the sales lot to make it look fuller than it was. The industry had a bit of a set back coming out of the pandemic, but it's started to come back closer to pre-pandemic levels now. I've always said that there is only so much you can do inside a box that's 30 feet (ish) long by 8 feet wide, so I don't foresee any mind-blowing changes in the near future as there would need to be so many other changes to accommodate that (DOT regulations for towing, campground changes for longer or wider units, etc). And I think that there is so much variation in floor plans and manufacturer's that automated assembly is likely a long way off for RV's.

According to a post on their Facebook page, Daring Diva Purses will be closing their Brandon location on Monday, December 30. Daring Diva Purses is a business that offers a selection of unique purses, wallets, accessories, and stylish clothing. The Brandon location first opened in June of 2024.

The City of Brandon Parks and Recreation Services are delighted to announce that today, Tuesday, December 24th, the brand-new community outdoor rink is now open at Brandon’s Community Sportsplex track infield. The rink features boards, netting, and hockey nets and will be open daily from 9 am to 10 pm. While the outdoor rink is open for public use, the official grand opening will follow early in the New Year. Stay tuned to our social media pages for updates! Please read below before using the rink! Skate at your own risk. This facility is NOT supervised. Protective equipment (including helmets) is highly recommended. Use of this skating facility may expose the user to serious injury, including broken bones, paralysis or death. Children under 12 must be supervised by an adult. City of Brandon Trespassing bylaw #6854C will be enforced after the facility is closed. No littering or graffiti. Place trash in designated trash receptacles. Be courteous to other people using the facility. Competitive or demonstration events require special approval from the City of Brandon. No food, drinks, or glass containers on the ice. No horseplay, fighting, body contact or checking. No racing, speed skating or chain skating. No alcohol, drugs or smoking. Contact 911 for emergencies. Contact 204-729-2471 for more information or to report an issue with the facility. If rules are not followed, individual users may be banned. If continuous misuse occurs, the City of Brandon may be forced to close this facility.

The Keystone Centre is thrilled to announce that it will host the Global Champions Arabians Tour (GCAT) on August 8 and 9, 2025. This event marks the first time GCAT will be held in North & South America, with Brandon, the tour’s lone stop in Canada, joining an elite list of host cities including Miami, Scottsdale, and Las Vegas in the USA, and São Paulo in Brazil. The two-day event will coincide with Canada’s National Arabian Championship show at the Keystone Centre, offering attendees an unparalleled experience of Arabian horse excellence in the Wheat City for the first time since 2019. “We are honored to host the Global Champions Arabians Tour at the Keystone Centre,” said Connie Lawrence, Keystone Centre CEO & general manager. “This event provides a unique opportunity to showcase the capability of our team and facility, and positions Brandon as a premier destination for international events. We look forward to welcoming participants and spectators from around the world to experience the rich culture and hospitality our community offers.” Adopting the same judging system used across the Middle East and Europe, each class and championship will feature horses evaluated by a randomly selected panel of judges, using five key criteria: type, head and neck, body, legs, and movement. At the final stage in Las Vegas, the Best Female, Best Male, Best Handler and Horse of the Tour will be crowned. “The Arabian horse has a deep-rooted legacy here in the Americas,” said Cindy McGown, CEO of GCAT Americas, “and GCAT’s presence will only amplify the admiration and respect these remarkable animals deserve. This Tour is a unique opportunity to unite communities through the shared passion for these extraordinary horses and their incredible stories.” The GCAT Americas circuit will commence in Scottsdale, Arizona, in February 2025, followed by events in Miami Beach, Florida; São Paulo, Brazil; Brandon, Manitoba; and concluding with the final in Las Vegas, Nevada, in September 2025. “The launch of the Americas circuit represents a bold step forward for GCAT,” said Faleh Al Nasr, Chairman of the Global Champions Arabians Tour at the tour launch event in Miami Beach. “It’s a testament to the growing global appreciation for Arabian horses and their unique qualities. We are thrilled to bring this celebration of excellence to the Americas and build lasting connections across continents.” The addition of the Global Champions Arabians Tour to the 2025 calendar highlights the Keystone Centre’s commitment to hosting world-class events. As the sole Canadian stop on the GCAT Americas circuit, the two-day competition will offer attendees an unmatched opportunity to experience Arabian horse excellence, solidifying the Keystone Centre’s reputation as a premier venue for international equestrian events.